Police in national search for Mikaeel Kular, 3, who vanished from family home overnight

A FRANTIC search is underway after a three-year-old boy went missing from his home in Edinburgh.

Mikaeel Kular was last seen going to bed at an address in Ferry Gait Crescent [GOOGLE/PH]

It’s hard to imagine how he got outside – the doors are so heavy he would have struggled to open it

Neighbour

Mikaeel Kular was last seen by his mother at around 9pm on Wednesday night, when he went to bed in their family’s duplex flat in Ferry Gait Crescent, in the city’s Drylaw area.

When she awoke in the morning, the little boy was missing and she contacted police.

This evening police activated the Child Rescue Alert system, which is usually reserved for abduction and kidnap cases and supported by all police forces across the UK.

Earlier in the day they had said they were just treating the incident as a missing person case and that their search efforts were just focused on Edinburgh.

Police Scotland Superintendent Liz McAinsh said the force is using all the resources at its disposal in the hunt.

She said: "Our enquiries to trace Mikaeel have been ongoing for over 12 hours now and so far, we have still to receive that vital piece of information that will lead to his discovery."

Police Scotland described Mikaeel as being of “Asian appearance, around three feet tall”. He is possibly wearing a beige hooded jacket, blue jogging bottoms, brown shoes and nightwear.

They said he may be wearing a grey pyjama top with an embroidered turquoise dinosaur on the chest and black gloves with multi-coloured fingers.

Officers arrived at the flat, at 13 Ferry Gait Crescent, where the family has lived for around a year, at 7am.

Police said they have a large police presence in the area [GOOGLE]

They conducted a through search of the Drylaw area, including door-to-door inquiries, and questioning postal workers and others in the area.

Specialist dog teams also searched surrounding streets, while a police helicopter carried out a search from the sky.

An arrest was made at a nearby address, but police have confirmed that it is not connected to the three-year-old's disappearance.

At a press conference this afternoon, Supt McAinsh said: "I would stress that our focus remains in Edinburgh.

"We have no evidence of criminality and it remains a missing person enquiry."

Police released this new image of Mikael Kular late on Thursday evening [PA]

She urged people to continue looking in their properties for places the three-year-old could be hiding.

Dozens of locals have joined in the search.

Robert Pearson, chairman of a local resident's group, said: "We split up into groups of seven to search the area. My group of seven are currently going through the Silverhouse Golf Course at the moment but we are fearful and wary of the fact that we might not have much hours left of light as it begins to get darker.

"We are liaising with Police Scotland and will continue to do so until they say it is unsafe to carry on searching. At the moment they have roughly 70 officers searching the area, but the mood amongst the volunteers is that it is feeling quite desperate just now."

Supt McAinsh also revealed that Mikaeel has a faded scar on the bridge of his nose and a sore on the left hand side of his mouth.

He attended a local nursery and workers there have described the youngster as a "friendly playful wee boy".

Police at the home on Ferry Gait Crescent where the three-year-old went missing [PA]

Neighbours took to the streets in the hope of spotting the child, who some said lived in the flat with his mother and three siblings including an older brother and sister and an infant.

Mum of one Jackie Brownlie, 29, said: “It’s every mother’s nightmare to wake up and find your child missing.

“They are a lovely family and he’s a good little boy – so cute.

“She’s a great mum and they are all very well-behaved children. It’s a brilliant street with loads of kids. It’s just a quiet place perfect for kids.

“Everyone is very worried. We just hope he is found quickly, safe and well.

“It’s hard to imagine how he got outside – the doors are so heavy he would have struggled to open it.”

Another neighbour, grandmother of one Nicky Garrick, 35, said: “He’s such a happy wee laddie.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh appeals for information at Fettes Police Station in Edinburgh [PA]

“He’s got an older brother and sister who play out front in the summer but he’s too young and stays close to his mum – he wouldn’t even cross the road without her.

“I was outside at 4am and it was very quiet. The police appeared at 7am – the whole street is worried for him.

“His mum is being comforted by the other children, cuddling them.”

Near neighbours said Mikaeel lived with his mother, but a man they believe may be the children’s father was also seen occasionally at their home.

Neighbour Linda Slattie, 52, who works as a cleaner, said she had also been outdoors in the early hours but had not spotted the child.

She said: “I was in and out from 4am. I got home at 6.30 and the street was silent. The police arrived at 7am and started searching everywhere.

“We just hope he’s found safe and well as soon as possible.”

Police said they were keen to hear from anyone who can assist with their enquiries.

Police at the scene where the three-year-old went missing [PA]

In particular, officers would like to speak with anyone travelling through the Muirhouse and Pennywell who may have seen the child walking on his own.

Chief Inspector Sara Buchanan said: "We have currently got a large police presence within the Drylaw area as we conduct our enquiries to trace Mikaeel.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing a young boy matching his description since yesterday evening to contact police immediately.

"As part of our investigation we are also trying to determine how the child has left his home and anyone with information that can assist with these enquiries is also asked to get in touch."

• Anyone with information should contact the dedicated line for the search operation which is 0300 200 0200.

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